looking for the light

Many of us spent Advent looking for the coming light. I was awed by what we found—light peeking around corners, splashed across sidewalks, illuminating the most mundane—rendering it brilliant and filled with promise. I thank you for helping me keep watch. I pray your Christmas has been filled with great love and the pure joy that comes from knowing light is all around.

Through the tiny slits that were my eyes when I first awoke this morning, I saw a marvelous orange forming in the sky just outside our bedroom window. I jumped from the bed, threw on the first pair of shoes I could find, and ran to the back yard—too excited to even stop to brush my teeth.

This is what I saw when I reached the water’s edge.

December 9, 2011 7:05 am (approximately)

Awestruck, thrilled and cold, I walked back toward the house, intending to capture a quick shot of our pretty Christmas tree lights through the porch window before heading inside. I looked through the viewfinder at the reflection in the glass. What on earth, I thought, and turned back toward the water.

This is what I saw then.

December 9, 2011 7:14 am (approximately)

I have not altered or enhanced either photo. There’s no filter—no Hipstamatic, no Instagram. Not even a crop. This is exactly what God brought to me, literally in my own back yard, this morning.